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Beijing - Olympics: 4-23 August 2008

I refer to the previous request that you made under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997

and 2003 for details relating to Minister Martin Cullen's trip to Beijing for the Olympicgames this year.

You will be aware that costs of flights and accommodation for events such as the

Olympics are always at a high premium as both flights and accommodation are heavily

booked. Both this Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs, who were

involved in the procuring of accommodation, made every effort to secure the best

possible rates for the Minister and his Delegation. The details of the trip are set out

below.

1. The Minister's Delegation numbered 4 and consisted of the Minister and 3

officials (the Ministers Private Secretary, the Assistant Secretary General

responsible for Sport and the Ministers Special Advisor)

Outbound Flights - Dublin to Abu Dhabi - Minister Cullen, First Class.

Onward Flight Abu Dhabi to Beijing -Minister Cullen, Business Class

Inbound Flights - Hong Kong to London - Minister Cullen, First Class,London to Dublin - The Minister travelled Economy

Internal Flights

On the first internal flight, the Minister travelled Economy down to Hong Kong.

On the return to Beijing the Minister travelled Business Class

On the second internal flight to Hong Kong, the Minister travelled Business Class

tr 'b1The cost of all flights to and from Hong Kong amounted to 1,978.00

3. The Minister and his Delegation were in Beijing and Hong Kong for a total of 19

nights. The cost of the hotel accommodation for the Minister per night was 10,0 Z

528.00

4. The official Civil Service subsistence rate (Conference rate) for the Minister 2 -< 6 '1 :5amounted to 149.74 per day. There were no additional claims by the Minister or

the delegation in respect of DinnerslLunches during the trip.

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Briefing with representatives of Beijing Organising Committee for the

Games of the XX1X Olympiad (BOCOG)

Attend BOCOG Accreditation Centre

Briefing Dinner with Irish Ambassador

Attend Fourth Meeting, Plenary Session, Sport for Development and PeaceInternational Working Group, China World Hotel

Visit Irish Embassy, Beijing - Olympic-related briefing, meet staff and

officials

Attend Launch of publication 'Harnessing the Power of Sport for

Development and Peace - recommendations to Government' at the British

Colombia Candada Pavilion, Beijing

Attend Opening Ceremony of the XX1X Olympiad, National Stadium,

Beijing

For Info Only Arrival of Sea Stallion at Roskilde Denmark TBC

Attend Mens Road Race

Attend Workers' Gymnasium Boxing Events

Attend National Indoor Stadium - Mens Qualification Gymnastics

Attend National Aquatic Centre

Attend Workers' Gymnasium, Boxing Events

Attend Shunyi Olympic Rowing Canoeing Park (Beijing)

Attend Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium (Mens Group B Basketball)

Attend Reception French Ambassador's Residence Beijing

Attend EU Ministers of Sport Meeting in French Embassy, Beijing

Depart for Hong Kong

Arrive at Hong Kong International Airport. Greeted by Honorary Consul and

a representative from Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau. Transfer to the

Island Shrangri La Hotel

Attend Briefing Dinner hosted by Honorary Consul

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y, August 17

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Meeting with Hutchinson Telecom, subsidiary of Hutchinson

Telecommunications International Ltd, owners of 3G Ireland

Lunch with Irish Community Business Leaders, hosted by Irish Honorary

Consul, Hong KongDepart Hong Kong International Airport for Beijing

Attend National Aquatic Centre

Attend Workers Gymnasium, Boxing Events

Interviews with Beijing TV (BTV) and China Daily Newspaper

Attend Workers Gymnasium - Boxing Events

Attend National Aquatic Centre

Visit Olympic Village. Tour of facilities with OCI. Meet Team Irelandathletes, coaches and support staff

Attend National Stadium - Athletics

Visit Chinese Arts and Crafts Exhibition at Olympic Village

Attend Workers Gymnasium - Boxing Events

Attend Laoshan Velodrome, Track Cycling

Informal discussion with Sebastian Coe, Chairman London 2012 (LOCOG

Board)

Attend National Stadium - Athletics

Attend National Aquatic CentreAttend National Stadium - Athletics

Attemd Workers Gymnasium - Boxing Events

Attend National Stadium - Athletics

Attend National Aquatic Centre

Attend Reception and Address Team Ireland - athletes, staff and supporters

plus Irish Community - venue Irish Embassy - hosted by Irish Ambassador

Attend Laoshan Velodrome - Cycling

Attend National Stadium - Athletics

Visit National Centre for the Performing Arts - National Theatre 'The Egg'

Beijing. Guided tour of its Opera House, Concert Hall and Theatre. Meet

Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang. View rehearsal of the Helsinki

Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of John Storgards

Attend National Stadium - Athletics

Meeting with Irish Sports Council

Meeting with Irish Ambassador to China

Attend Workers Gymnasium - Boxing EventsAttend Beijing Workers Stadium - 2nd half of semi final Soccer Match

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Depart Beijing for Hong Kong

Arrive Hong Kong International Airport. Greeted by representastive of Hong

Kong Home Affairs Bureau. Transfer to Island Shangri La Hotel

Depart for Olympic Equestrian Venue, Sha TinView Showjumping Individual Final Round A

View Showjumping Individual Final Round B

RETURN FROM BEIJING

Depart Hong Kong International Airport for Dublin via London Heathrow